Automated electronic message filing system

ABSTRACT

A sender selection is detected at a sender computer system within a user interface of at least one suggested folder name for a composed electronic message for a recipient receiving the electronic message to select as a folder name for filing the electronic message. The at least one suggested folder name is attached to the electronic message at the sender computer system for distribution to the recipient. The electronic message is sent with the suggested filing folder name from the sender computer system to a recipient, wherein a recipient receiving the electronic message receives the at least one suggested folder name specified by the sender in the electronic message for selecting a folder for filing the electronic message in a messaging filing directory for the recipient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of commonly assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/552,636, filed Jul. 19, 2012, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/777,646, filed Feb.12, 2004, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,266,218 on Sep. 11, 2012, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates in general to improved messaging systemsand in particular to improved filing of electronic messages withinmessaging systems. Still more particularly, the present inventionrelates to filtering the folders in a filing system to present the userwith a suggested selection of folders for filing a particular electronicmessage.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of electronic mail (e-mail) and other electronic messaging andcommunications, such as instant messaging, has expanded rapidly over thelast few years. Typically, an e-mail application, such as Lotus Notes,provides a user interface between the user and an e-mail server thatsends and receives e-mail via a network, such as the Internet.

E-mails, like other data files, often need to be categorized and filedfor later retrieval. Thus, many e-mail applications will include adirectory structure of files for storing e-mails. Users are typicallyenabled to add and name folders within the directory structure and thenmove e-mails into the different folders.

A disadvantage of current e-mail filing systems is that as the number offolders in a directory structure increases, more and more time isrequired for a user to locate a particular folder and select to place ane-mail in that folder. Further, a disadvantage of current e-mail filingsystems is that a user must take time to determine which folder to placean e-mail in. A user may have multiple folders that an email couldpotentially be placed in or may need to create a new folder to store thee-mail. Either way, eventually, filing the e-mail away in a folder maybecome so time consuming that any benefit of later locating the e-mailby its folder location is diminished.

In addition to e-mail, other types of electronic messaging can be savedand filed. For example, a participant in an instant messaging sessionmay save and file the session. However, just as e-mail filing systemsare currently limited, so are filing systems for other types ofelectronic messaging where locating the appropriate filing folder can betime consuming.

Therefore, in view of the foregoing, there is a need for a method,system, and program for automating the folder creation and filingprocess for e-mail and other electronic messages. In particular, thereis a need for a method, system, and program for automatic location andpresentation of suggested folders for filing a particular electronicmessage. Further, there is a need for a method, system, and program forautomatic creation of a folder and filing an electronic message in thenewly created folder based on a folder name suggestion by the sender ofthe electronic message.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention provides a messaging systems and inparticular to provides a method, system, and computer program productfor filing electronic messages within messaging systems. The presentinvention provides a method, system, and computer program product forfiltering the folders in a filing system to present the user with asuggested selection of folders for filing a particular electronicmessage. The present invention provides a method, system, and computerprogram product for enabling a sender to suggest a filing folder name tobe used by the recipient of an electronic message for filing for theelectronic message.

In one embodiment, a method is directed to a computer system detectingwhether a sender composes an electronic message. The method is directedto the computer system, responsive to detecting the sender compose theelectronic message, determining whether the sender selected to composethe electronic message by performing at least one of replying to andforwarding an original electronic message stored in an original folder.The method is directed to the computer system, responsive to detectingthe sender selected to compose the electronic message without performingat least one of replying to and forwarding the electronic message storedin the original folder: scanning the electronic message for at least onekeyword within content of the electronic message; responsive toidentifying the at least one keyword, prompting the sender to select theat least one suggested folder name from among the at least one keywordwithin a user interface; and responsive to detecting a sender selectionwithin the user interface of at least one suggested folder name for theelectronic message for a recipient receiving the electronic message toselect as a folder name for filing the electronic message, attaching theat least one suggested folder name to the electronic message fordistribution to the recipient. The method is directed to the computersystem, responsive to detecting the sender selected to compose theelectronic message by performing at least one of replying to andforwarding the electronic message stored in the original folder,attaching a name of the original folder as the at least one suggestedfolder name to the electronic message for distribution to the recipient.The method is directed to the computer system sending the electronicmessage with the suggested folder name from the sender to a recipient,wherein a recipient receiving the electronic message receives the atleast one suggested folder name specified by the sender in theelectronic message for selecting a folder for filing the electronicmessage in a messaging filing directory for the recipient.

In another embodiment, a computer system comprises one or moreprocessors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or morecomputer-readable storage devices, and program instructions, stored onat least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by atleast one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one ormore memories. The stored program instructions comprise programinstructions to detect whether a sender composes an electronic message.The stored program instructions comprise program instructions,responsive to detecting the sender compose the electronic message, todetermine whether the sender selected to compose the electronic messageby performing at least one of replying to and forwarding an originalelectronic message stored in an original folder. The stored programinstructions comprise program instructions, responsive to detecting thesender selected to compose the electronic message without performing atleast one of replying to and forwarding the electronic message stored inthe original folder: to scan the electronic message for at least onekeyword within content of the electronic message; responsive toidentifying the at least one keyword, to prompt the sender to select theat least one suggested folder name from among the at least one keywordwithin a user interface; and responsive to detecting a sender selectionby the sender within the user interface of at least one suggested foldername for the electronic message for a recipient receiving the electronicmessage to select as a folder name for filing the electronic message, toattach the at least one suggested folder name to the electronic messagefor distribution to the recipient. The stored program instructionscomprise program instructions, responsive to detecting the senderselected to compose the electronic message by performing at least one ofreplying to and forwarding the electronic message stored in the originalfolder, to attach a name of the original folder as the at least onesuggested folder name to the electronic message for distribution to therecipient. The stored program instructions comprise program instructionsto send the electronic message with the suggested folder name specifiedby the sender to a recipient, wherein a recipient receiving theelectronic message receives the at least one suggested folder namespecified by the sender in the electronic message for selecting a folderfor filing the electronic message in a messaging filing directory forthe recipient.

In another embodiment, a computer program product comprises one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage devices and programinstructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices.The stored program instructions comprise program instructions to detectwhether a sender composes an electronic message. The stored programinstructions comprise program instructions, responsive to detecting thesender compose the electronic message, to determine whether the senderselected to compose the electronic message by performing at least one ofreplying to and forwarding an original electronic message stored in anoriginal folder. The stored program instructions comprise programinstructions, responsive to detecting the sender selected to compose theelectronic message without performing at least one of replying to andforwarding the electronic message stored in the original folder, to:scan the electronic message for at least one keyword within content ofthe electronic message; responsive to identifying the at least onekeyword, to prompt the sender to select the at least one suggestedfolder name from among the at least one keyword within a user interface;and responsive to detecting a sender selection by the sender within theuser interface of at least one suggested folder name for the electronicmessage for a recipient receiving the electronic message to select as afolder name for filing the electronic message, attach the at least onesuggested folder name to the electronic message for distribution to therecipient. The stored program instructions comprise programinstructions, responsive to detecting the sender selected to compose theelectronic message by performing at least one of replying to andforwarding the electronic message stored in the original folder, toattach a name of the original folder as the at least one suggestedfolder name to the electronic message for distribution to the recipient.The stored program instructions comprise program instructions, to sendthe electronic message from the sender with the suggested folder namespecified by the sender to a recipient, wherein a recipient receivingthe electronic message receives the at least one suggested folder namespecified by the sender in the electronic message for selecting a folderfor filing the electronic message in a messaging filing directory forthe recipient.

A suggested folder is determined by first detecting a suggested foldername specified by a sender of the electronic message. The suggestedfolder is the folder with the same name as the suggested folder name.

A suggested folder is graphically distinguished or listed in a separatelist. Further, a target folder and secondary folder is determined andgraphically distinguished from one another.

If the display region showing the messaging directory is not able toshow the entire directory, then those folders displayed within thedisplay region are adjusted to show one or more suggested folders. Amessaging directory with multiple levels of folders is expanded todisplay one or more suggested folders.

One method of selecting to file an electronic message is by dragging themessage entry into the display area of the message directory anddropping an icon for the electronic message over a particular folder.When a drag icon is detected within the display area of the messagedirectory, the drag icon is automatically repositioned over the closestsuggested folder. The drag icon is further repositioned from suggestedfolder to suggested folder and the portion of the directory displayed isautomatically adjusted as the user selects to move the drag icon to anext suggested folder.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an electronic messageis created by a sender. A suggested filing folder name is attached tothe electronic message and the electronic message is sent with thesuggested filing folder name to a recipient. By attaching a suggestedfiling folder name to the electronic message when the electronic messageis sent, a receipt messaging system automatically files the electronicmessage in a folder with the suggested folder name when the recipientreceives the electronic message. A sender specifies the suggested filingfolder name. If a sender forwards a message or replies to a messagefiled in a folder by the sender, then folder name in which the forwardedmessage or replied to message is stored is attached as the suggestedfiling folder name.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an electronic messageis received with a suggested filing folder name. The electronic messageis automatically filed in a folder with the suggested filing folder namewithin a message filing directory, such that filing of the electronicmessage is efficiently controlled. If there is not a filing folder inthe message filing directory with the suggested filing folder name, thenone is created. Further, the folder with the suggested filing foldername is preferably graphically distinguished.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as apreferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will bestbe understood by reference to the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a computer system in which thepresent method, system, and program may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a distributed network system forfacilitating distribution of electronic messages between a sender and arecipient for facilitating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a messaging controller forcontrolling an electronic messaging client system in accordance with themethod, system, and program of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of a sender message with asuggested folder name in accordance with the method, system, and programof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation of a recipient messaginginterface displaying an electronic message received with a suggestedfolder name in accordance with the method, system, and program of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative representation of a folders directory with anew folder based on the suggested folder name by a sender of anelectronic message in accordance with the method, system, and program ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative representation of a recipient messaginginterface for drag and drop filing of electronic messages in accordancewith the method, system, and program of the present invention;

FIG. 8 an illustrative representation of a drag and drop filing systemwith the suggested folders highlighted in accordance with the method,system, and program of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a high level logic flowchart depicting a process and programfor applying a suggested folder name to an electronic message;

FIG. 10 is a high level logic flowchart depicting a process and programfor highlighting suggested folders for filing electronic messages; and

FIG. 11 is a high level logic flowchart depicting a process and programfor filtering the filing options for an electronic message.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there isdepicted one embodiment of a system through which the present method,system, and program may be implemented. The present invention may beexecuted in a variety of systems, including a variety of computingsystems and electronic devices.

Computer system 100 includes a bus 122 or other communication device forcommunicating information within computer system 100, and at least oneprocessing device such as processor 112, coupled to bus 122 forprocessing information. Bus 122 preferably includes low-latency andhigher latency paths that are connected by bridges and adapters andcontrolled within computer system 100 by multiple bus controllers. Whenimplemented as a server system, computer system 100 typically includesmultiple processors designed to improve network servicing power.

Processor 112 may be a general-purpose processor such as IBM's PowerPC™processor that, during normal operation, processes data under thecontrol of operating system and application software accessible from adynamic storage device such as random access memory (RAM) 114 and astatic storage device such as Read Only Memory (ROM) 116. The operatingsystem preferably provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user.In a preferred embodiment, application software contains machineexecutable instructions that when executed on processor 112 carry outthe operations depicted in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and othersdescribed herein. Alternatively, the steps of the present inventionmight be performed by specific hardware components that containhardwired logic for performing the steps, or by any combination ofprogrammed computer components and custom hardware components.

The present invention may be provided as a computer program product,included on a machine-readable medium having stored thereon the machineexecutable instructions used to program computer system 100 to perform aprocess according to the present invention. The term “machine-readablemedium” as used herein refers to any data storage medium thatparticipates in providing instructions to processor 112 or othercomponents of computer system 100 for execution. Such a data storagemedium may take many forms including, but not limited to, non-volatilemedia and volatile media. Common forms of non-volatile media include,for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tapeor any other magnetic medium, a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM) or any otheroptical medium, punch cards or any other physical medium with patternsof holes, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM),electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, any other memory chip orcartridge, or any other data storage medium from which computer system100 can read and which is suitable for storing instructions. In thepresent embodiment, an example of a non-volatile medium is mass storagedevice 118 which as depicted is an internal component of computer system100, but will be understood to also be provided by an external device.Volatile media include dynamic memory such as RAM 114.

Moreover, the present invention may be downloaded as a computer programproduct, wherein the program instructions may be transferred from aremote computer such as a server 140 to requesting computer system 100via a network link 134 (e.g. a modem or network connection) to acommunications interface 132 coupled to bus 122. Communicationsinterface 132 provides a two-way data communications coupling to networklink 134 that may be connected, for example, to a local area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN), or directly to an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP). In particular, network link 134 may provide wired and/orwireless network communications to one or more networks.

Network link 134 in turn provides data communication services throughnetwork 102. Network 102 may refer to the worldwide collection ofnetworks and gateways that use a particular protocol, such asTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), tocommunicate with one another. Network link 134 and network 102 both useelectrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital datastreams. The signals through the various networks and the signals onnetwork link 134 and through communication interface 132, which carrythe digital data to and from computer system 100, are exemplary forms ofcarrier waves transporting the information.

When implemented as a server system, computer system 100 typicallyincludes multiple communication interfaces accessible via multipleperipheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridges connected to aninput/output controller. In this manner, computer system 100 allowsconnections to multiple network computers.

In addition, computer system 100 typically includes multiple peripheralcomponents that facilitate communication. These peripheral componentsare connected to multiple controllers, adapters, and expansion slotscoupled to one of the multiple levels of bus 122. For example, an audiooutput device 128 and audio input device 129 are connectively enabled onbus 122 for controlling audio outputs and inputs. A display device 124is also connectively enabled on bus 122 for providing visual, tactile orother graphical representation formats and a cursor control device 130is connectively enabled on bus 122 for controlling the location of apointer within display device 124. A keyboard 126 is connectivelyenabled on bus 122 as an interface for user inputs to computer system100. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, additional inputand output peripheral components may be added.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardwaredepicted in FIG. 1 may vary. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that the depicted example is not meant to implyarchitectural limitations with respect to the present invention.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram depicts a distributednetwork system for facilitating distribution of electronic messagesbetween a sender and a recipient for facilitating one embodiment of thepresent invention. Distributed data processing system 200 is a networkof computers in one embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Itwill be understood that the present invention may be implemented inother embodiments of systems enabled to communicate via a connection.

In the embodiment, distributed data processing system 200 containsnetwork 102, which is the medium used to provide communications linksbetween various devices and computers connected together withindistributed data processing system 200. Network 102 may includepermanent connections such as wire or fiber optics cables, temporaryconnections made through telephone connections and wireless transmissionconnections.

In the depicted example, communication servers 204 and 206 are connectedto network 102. In addition, client systems, herein termed as sendersystem 208 and recipient system 210, are connected to network 102 andprovide a user interface through input/output (I/O) devices.Communication servers 204 and 206 may facilitate electronic messagingsystems through which sender system 208 and recipient system 210communicate through messaging applications, such as a mail reader,located on sender system 208 and recipient system 210. Messagingapplications residing on sender system 208 and recipient system 210provide an interface for implementing messaging services on sendersystem 208 and recipient system 210. Further, distributed dataprocessing system 200 may include additional servers, clients, and otherdevices not shown. For example, electronic messages may be sent andreceived between communication server 204 and other servers (not shown)to distribute and receive messages from other clients (not shown).

The client/server environment of distributed data processing system 200is implemented within many network architectures. In one example,distributed data processing system 100 is the Internet with network 102representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that usethe TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. TheInternet is enabled by millions of high-speed data communication linesbetween major nodes or host computers. In another example, distributeddata processing system 200 is implemented as an intranet, a local areanetwork (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). Moreover, distributed dataprocessing system 200 may be implemented in networks employingalternatives to a traditional client/server environment, such as a gridcomputing environment.

Within distributed data processing system 200, each of client systems208 and 210 and communication servers 204 and 206 may function as both a“client” and a “server” and may be implemented utilizing a computersystem such as computer system 100 of FIG. 1. Further, while the presentinvention is described with emphasis upon communication servers 204 and206 facilitating the transfer of electronic messages, the presentinvention may also be performed by clients 208 and 210 engaged inpeer-to-peer network communications and downloading via network 102.

Electronic messages sent and received between sender system 208 andrecipient system 210 may be filed in folders or other database systemsfor organizing and filing documents for easy search and retrieval. Aselection of current folders in a folder directory may be automaticallyselected and suggested for a particular electronic message based oncriteria such as the sender name, the recipient name, the date, thesubject, and keywords within the communication.

As an advantage of the present invention, the suggested folders aregraphically distinguished form non-suggested folders. In addition,according to an advantage of the invention, suggested folders may beprioritized and graphically distinguished to indicate priority.

When a sender or recipient selects to file an electronic message, thefolders directory is preferably automatically opened to the locations ofthe suggested folders, or to a selection of the suggested foldersaccording to the priority of the suggested folders. Alternatively, whena sender or recipient selects to drag and drop an electronic messageicon into the folders directory for filing, the electronic message iconis preferably automatically attracted to the closest of the suggestedfolders or the highest priority of the suggested folders and as the usermoves the electronic message icon within the folders directory, thedirectory may automatically scroll to display other suggested folders.

As an advantage of the present invention, a suggested folder name forthe folder to file an electronic message within may be attached to anelectronic message before it is sent from sender system 208 via one orboth of communication servers 206, to recipient system 210. Further, asan advantage of the present invention, when recipient system 210receives electronic messages with suggested folder names, the recipientsystem preferably automatically either offers to file or files theelectronic message in a folder with the suggested folder name. If afolder with the suggested folder name is not currently part of therecipient folder directory, then a new folder with the suggested name isopened. It is important to note that the suggested folder name mayinclude a specific textual name or names, but may also indicate a typeof folder, a size of folder, a location of the folder, and other foldercharacteristics.

For purposes of the present invention, electronic messages may include,but are not limited to, e-mail messages, instant messaging, chatsessions, and other forms of text, graphics, audio, and videocommunications between systems, facilitated by a network. Although thepresent embodiment is described with emphasis upon an e-mail as theelectronic message, it will be understood that the present inventionapplies to electronic message filing systems for multiple types ofelectronic messages.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a block diagram of amessaging controller for controlling a messaging client system inaccordance with the method, system, and program of the presentinvention. As depicted, a messaging controller 300 includes a messagedatabase 302 in which electronic messages are stored. Multiple databasestructures may be implemented for storage of electronic messages.Preferably, each electronic message may be filed in a particular folder.Folders may be organized in multiple structures, such as a tree or otherhierarchical arrangement. Further, folders may be first sectionalizedinto folders for sent messages and folders for received messages.

A message filtering controller 304 filters electronic messages anddetermines a selection of suggested folders for filing each electronicmessage. Specifically, message filtering controller 304 may determine atarget folder and other secondary folders in the selection of suggestedfolders. Further, a received electronic message may include a suggestedfolder name for the folder for filing the electronic message. Inparticular, message filtering controller 304 may filter copies of sentmessages and received messages to determine a selection of suggestedfolders for filing each electronic message.

A folder placement controller 306 preferably determines which folders todisplay within a folder directory window. Additionally, folder placementcontroller 306 preferably monitors whether a user selects to drag anddrop file an electronic message, and if so, attracts the drag icon forthe electronic message towards suggested folders. Further, folderplacement controller 306 preferably monitors whether the user selects anoption to file an electronic message, and if so, opens a directorywindow with the folder directory automatically opened to the suggestedfolder(s).

A display controller 308 preferably adjusts the graphical display toindicate the suggested folders determined by message filteringcontroller 304 for a particular electronic message when a user selectsto view that particular electronic message. Folders may be displayed ina directory window alongside other windows of the messaging system userinterface. Alternatively, folders may only be displayed in a directorywindow when a user selects to file an electronic message. Further,display controller 308 preferably adjusts the graphical displayaccording to the directory display decisions of folder placementcontroller 306.

In addition, display controller 308 may distinguish those folders whichare suggested folders in multiple formats. For example, the typesetting, coloring, shading, transparency, or other graphicalcharacteristic of a folder name or icon may be adjusted for thosefolders which are suggested folders. It will be understood that inaddition to graphically distinguishing suggested folders from the otherfolders in the folder directory, text, audio, or video may be used todistinguish the suggested folders.

A communication controller 310 controls the sending and receiving ofelectronic messages. In particular, the communication controller 310 mayinitiate a connection to a network to access messaging services.Further, communication controller 310 may initiate a connection directlywith another computing system for peer-to-peer network communication.

A suggestion attachment controller 305 controls the attachment of asuggested folder name to an electronic message. In particular, a senderof a message may designate the suggested folder name. Alternatively, asender may create an electronic message by forwarding or replying toanother electronic message that is filed by the sender. Suggestionattachment controller 305 may automatically designate the suggestedfolder name from the name of the folder in which the forwarded orreplied to message is located.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrates a sendermessage with a suggested folder name in accordance with the method,system, and program of the present invention. As depicted, a sendermessage 400 includes multiple types of data.

First, in the example, a recipient is designated at reference numeral402. In the example, the designated recipient is “recipient A”. Althoughnot illustrated, the designated recipients may include addressesdesignated under a “to:” column, a “cc:” column, or a “bcc” column, forexample. Further, the type of addressing used to designate a recipientof an electronic message may vary according to the type of addressingimplemented in a messaging system.

In addition, in the example, a suggested folder name is designated atreference numeral 404. The suggested folder name in the example is“IBM™; Project Z” where the “;” indicates a sublevel. In alternateexamples, a folder name may be designated in an alternate manner.Further, in alternate examples, multiple suggested folder names may beincluded. Additionally, a suggested folder name may be specified foreach recipient of the sender message. Moreover, it will be understoodthat filing systems may implement filing structures other than folders,wherein the suggested folder name is converted into the type of filingstructure implemented by the message filing system.

In the example, a subject is designated at reference numeral 406 and thetext of the electronic message is designated at reference numeral 408.It will be understood that other types of information may be included inthe electronic message.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram illustrates a recipientmessaging interface displaying a electronic message received with asuggested folder name in accordance with the method, system, and programof the present invention. In the interface, a recipient inbox 510 is awindow depicting the newly received e-mail messages for the recipient.In the example, the e-mail message designated by reference numeral 512and received from “sender F” is selected. Recipient message window 500displays e-mail messages selected from recipient inbox 510. In theexample, sender message 400, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is selected anddisplayed in recipient message window 500.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a recipient mayselect an option to file an e-mail message. In the example, therecipient may select option by selecting a file button 506. In alternateembodiments, other types of options may be provided to the recipient forselecting to file an e-mail message.

According to an advantage of the present invention, when an e-mailmessage is received in recipient inbox 510, a target folder andsecondary folders suggested for filing the e-mail message aredetermined. Multiple methods may be used to determine target andsecondary folder suggestions. As an advantage of the present invention,a sender of the e-mail message may include a suggested folder name for afolder, which is advantageously selected as the target folder. Othermethods of determining target and secondary folder suggestions includescanning the message for keywords, scanning the message for sender namesand other recipient names, and scanning the message for an indicator ofthe importance of the message. From the scanned information, target andsecondary folder suggestions may be made from the named folders in afolder directory.

Then, according to another advantage of the present invention, when arecipient selects to read or open the e-mail message located inrecipient inbox 510, a folder directory window 520 displays therecipient folder directory with the target and secondary foldersuggestions highlighted or otherwise graphically distinguishable.Alternatively, the target and secondary folder suggestions may beindicated through other types of output, such as an audio indicator ofthe target and secondary folder suggestions.

In the example of folders directory 520, a multi-tiered folder structureis implemented. In the example, the only suggested folder is the folderlocated first under the “IBM” folder and specifically under a sub-levelfolder titled “sender F” as indicated by the highlighting designated atreference numeral 522. In the example, the folder “IBM” is automaticallyexpanded to reveal the target folder suggestion. In alternateembodiments where the directory size exceeds the size of foldersdirectory window 520, then the portions of the directory which includetarget and secondary folder suggestions may be expanded and displayedwithin the directory window region.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a block diagram depicts a foldersdirectory with a new folder based on the suggested folder name by asender of an electronic message in accordance with the method, system,and program of the present invention. Continuing with the e-mail messagereceived in FIG. 5, if a recipient selects to file the e-mail message,the recipient may be offered the option to automatically add a newfolder to folders directory 520, where the new folder is titled with thesuggested folder name designated by the sender of the e-mail message. Inthe example, a message window 604 prompts the recipient to selectwhether to file the e-mail message in a new folder. In the example, ifthe user selects to file the e-mail message, then the folder is added tofolders directory 520, as illustrated at reference numeral 602 and thenew folder is highlighted or distinguished in an alternate manner.

In an alternate embodiment, the new folder may be automatically added tothe folders directory when the e-mail message is received. If the newfolder is automatically added to the folders directory, the new folderis preferably highlighted and the portion of the folders directorywithin the display window region preferably includes the new highlightedfolder.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram depicts a recipient messaginginterface for drag and drop filing of electronic messages in accordancewith the method, system, and program of the present invention. Asillustrated, the recipient has selected the e-mail message from “senderM” in recipient inbox 510, as depicted by the highlighting at referencenumeral 712.

In the example, folders directory window 720 is expanded to display thetarget and secondary folder suggestions for the e-mail message from“sender M”. In particular, the folder titled “scheduling” is highlightedas depicted at reference numeral 722. In addition, the folder titled“personal” is highlighted as depicted at reference numeral 724. One ofthe highlighted folders may also be designated as the target folder.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the recipient may selectfile button 706 to initiate filing the e-mail message. Alternatively,however, the recipient may click on the message entry indicated atreference numeral 712 and drag the entry to folders directory 720, as isfurther depicted in FIG. 8.

With reference now to FIG. 8, a block diagram depicts a drag and dropfiling system with the suggested folders highlighted in accordance withthe method, system, and program of the present invention. Asillustrated, lunch plans block 802 represents the drag icon that istriggered when the recipient clicks on the message entry indicated atreference numeral 712 in FIG. 7 and begins to drag the message entry. Asthe recipient drags lunch plans block 802 into folders directory 720,the recipient may manually place block 802 over one of the folders anddrop block 802 into that folder to initiate the filing of the e-mailmessage in that folder. According to an advantage of the presentinvention, however, once the block 802 is within the window for foldersdirectory 720, the block is automatically positioned over the closesthighlighted folder. Alternatively, the suggested folders may beprioritized, such that the block is automatically positioned over thehighest priority folder. Further, although not depicted, the recipientmay drag block 802 into folders directory 720 and by moving block 820 upand down within folders directory 720, cause the directory displayedwithin the display region to scroll from one suggested folder to thenext.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is depicted a high level logic flowchartof a process and program for applying a suggested folder name to anelectronic message. As depicted, the process starts at block 900 andthereafter proceeds to block 902. Block 902 depicts a determinationwhether a sender has created a new electronic message. If a sender hasnot created a new electronic message, then the process iterates at block902. If a sender has created a new electronic message, then the processpasses to block 910. Block 910 depicts a determination whether in thenew electronic message, the sender is forwarding or replying to aelectronic message stored in a folder. If the sender is forwarding orreplying to an electronic message stored in a folder, then the processpasses to block 912. Block 912 depicts attaching the name of the senderdirectory folder as the suggested folder name for storing the electronicmessage, and the process ends. Alternatively, although not depicted, asender may also be prompted with the option of selecting the suggestedfolder name from the name of the folder in which the forward or reply tomail is filed in the sender directory folder.

At block 910, if the sender is not forwarding or replying to anelectronic message stored in a folder, then the process passes to block904. Block 904 depicts prompting the sender to select a suggested foldername. In particular, the sender may choose from the folder names of thefolders currently in the sender's directory. Alternatively, theelectronic message may be scanned for keywords which are provided to thesender to select from as suggested folder names. Next, block 906 depictsa determination whether the sender selects a folder name. If the senderdoes not select a folder name, then a default suggested folder name orno suggested folder name are included in the electronic message.Alternatively, if the sender does select a folder name, then the processpasses to block 908. Block 908 depicts attaching the folder name to theelectronic message as the suggested folder name for the electronicmessage, and the process ends.

With reference now to FIG. 10, there is depicted a high level logicflowchart of a process and program for highlighting suggested foldersfor filing electronic messages. As depicted, the process starts at block1000 and thereafter proceeds to block 1002. Block 1002 depicts adetermination whether a new electronic message is received. If a newelectronic message is not received, then the process iterates at block1002. If a new electronic message is received, then the process passesto block 1004. Block 1004 depicts determining a target and secondaryfolders for the electronic message. First, all the suggested folders maybe determined. The electronic message may include a suggested foldername designated by the sender. Further, the subject and text of theelectronic message may be searched for keywords matching current foldernames in the recipient folders directory. The target folder may be a newfolder or an existing folder. Next, block 1006 depicts highlighting thetarget and secondary folders in any display of the recipient folderdirectory, and the process ends. In particular, the target folder may behighlighted in a manner distinguishable from the secondary folders.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is depicted a high level logic flowchartof a process and program for filtering the filing options for anelectronic message. As depicted, the process starts at block 1100 andthereafter proceeds to block 1102. Block 1102 depicts a determinationwhether a recipient of an electronic message has selected an option tofile the electronic message. If the recipient of the electronic messageselects the option to file the electronic message, then the processpasses to block 1104.

Block 1104 depicts a determination whether the electronic messageincludes a suggested folder name. If the electronic message does includea suggested folder name, then the process passes to block 1106. Block1106 depicts a determination whether the suggested folder name alreadyexists in the recipient folder directory. If the suggested folder namesdoes not already exist in the recipient folder directory, then theprocess passes to block 1108. Block 1108 depicts adding a folder withthe folder name to the recipient folder directory. Next, block 1110depicts highlighting the newly added folder. Thereafter, block 1112depicts filing the electronic message in the folder with the suggestedfolder name, and the process ends. Returning to block 1106, if thesuggested folder name does already exist in the recipient folderdirectory, then the process passes to block 1112.

At block 1104, if the electronic message does not include a suggestedfolder name, then the process passes to block 1130. Block 1130 depictsautomatically jumping through the recipient folder directory to displaya target folder in the recipient folder directory. Additionally,secondary folders may be displayed. Next, block 1132 depicts adetermination whether the user selects a folder from the directory. Ifthe user does not select a folder, then the process iterates at block1132 for a period of time. The user may first create a new folder andthen select the new folder. If the user does select a folder, then theprocess passes to block 1134. Block 1134 depicts filing the electronicmessage in the selected folder, and the process ends.

Returning to block 1102, if the recipient of the electronic message doesnot select the option to file the electronic message, then the processpasses to block 1120. Block 1120 depicts a determination whether therecipient selects to drag and drop the electronic message into thefolder area for filing. If the recipient does not select to drag anddrop, then the process returns to block 1102. If the recipient doesselect to drag and drop, then the process passes to block 1122. Block1122 depicts automatically moving the drag icon over the closesthighlighted folder in the recipient folder directory. Alternatively, thedrag icon may be automatically moved over the target highlighted folderin the recipient folder directory. Further, another alternative is thatas the user drags the drag icon within the folder directory, suggestedfolders are highlighted. Next, block 1124 depicts a determinationwhether the user drops the drag icon for the electronic message into afolder. If the user does not drop the drag icon for the electronicmessage into a folder, then the process iterates at block 1124 for aperiod of time. If the user does drop the drag icon for the electronicmessage into a folder, then the process passes to block 1134 where theelectronic message is filed in the selected folder, as previouslydescribed, and the process ends.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: a computer system detectingwhether a sender composes an electronic message; the computer system,responsive to detecting the sender compose the electronic message,determining whether the sender selected to compose the electronicmessage by performing at least one of replying to and forwarding anoriginal electronic message stored in an original folder; the computersystem, responsive to detecting the sender selected to compose theelectronic message without performing at least one of replying to andforwarding the electronic message stored in the original folder:scanning the electronic message for at least one keyword within contentof the electronic message; responsive to identifying the at least onekeyword, prompting the sender to select the at least one suggestedfolder name from among the at least one keyword within a user interface;and responsive to detecting a sender selection within the user interfaceof at least one suggested folder name for the electronic message for arecipient receiving the electronic message to select as a folder namefor filing the electronic message, attaching the at least one suggestedfolder name to the electronic message for distribution to the recipient;the computer system, responsive to detecting the sender selected tocompose the electronic message by performing at least one of replying toand forwarding the electronic message stored in the original folder,attaching a name of the original folder as the at least one suggestedfolder name to the electronic message for distribution to the recipient;and the computer system sending the electronic message with thesuggested folder name from the sender to a recipient, wherein arecipient receiving the electronic message receives the at least onesuggested folder name specified by the sender in the electronic messagefor selecting a folder for filing the electronic message in a messagingfiling directory for the recipient.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the computer system detecting a sender selection within the userinterface of at least one suggested folder name for the electronicmessage for a recipient receiving the electronic message to select as afolder name for filing the electronic message further comprises: thecomputer system displaying, within the user interface, a window forcomposing the electronic message, further comprising a selectable optionfor the sender to select the recipient and a selectable option for theuser to select the at least one suggested folder name; and the computersystem detecting the user select the selectable option for the at leastone suggested folder name within the window for composing the electronicmessage.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer systemdetecting a sender selection within the user interface of at least onesuggested folder name for the electronic message for a recipientreceiving the electronic message to select as a folder name for filingthe electronic message further comprises: the computer system detectingthe sender selection within the user interface of the at least onesuggested folder name comprising a first level name and comprising atleast one sublevel name, wherein the recipient receiving the at leastone suggested folder name receives the first level name corresponding toa target folder and the at least one sublevel name corresponding with atleast one secondary folder.
 4. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe computer system detecting a sender selection within the userinterface of at least one suggested folder name for the electronicmessage for a recipient receiving the electronic message to select as afolder name for filing the electronic message further comprises: thecomputer system detecting the sender selection within the user interfaceof a separate at least one suggested folder name for each separaterecipient from among a plurality of recipients for the electronicmessage.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer systemsending the electronic message with the suggested folder name from thesender to a recipient, wherein a recipient receiving the electronicmessage receives the at least one suggested folder name specified by thesender in the electronic message for selecting a folder for filing theelectronic message in a messaging filing directory for the recipient,further comprises: the computer system sending the electronic messagewith the suggested folder name, wherein if the messaging filingdirectory for the recipient does not comprise a particular folder with aparticular folder name matching the suggested filing folder name then arecipient computer system receiving the electronic message for therecipient automatically offers the recipient a selectable option to adda new folder to the messaging filing directory with the suggested filingfolder name.
 6. A computer system comprising one or more processors, oneor more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readablestorage devices, and program instructions, stored on at least one of theone or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one ormore processors via at least one of the one or more memories, the storedprogram instructions comprising: program instructions to detect whethera sender composes an electronic message; program instructions,responsive to detecting the sender compose the electronic message, todetermine whether the sender selected to compose the electronic messageby performing at least one of replying to and forwarding an originalelectronic message stored in an original folder; program instructions,responsive to detecting the sender selected to compose the electronicmessage without performing at least one of replying to and forwardingthe electronic message stored in the original folder: to scan theelectronic message for at least one keyword within content of theelectronic message; responsive to identifying the at least one keyword,to prompt the sender to select the at least one suggested folder namefrom among the at least one keyword within a user interface; andresponsive to detecting a sender selection by the sender within the userinterface of at least one suggested folder name for the electronicmessage for a recipient receiving the electronic message to select as afolder name for filing the electronic message, to attach the at leastone suggested folder name to the electronic message for distribution tothe recipient; program instructions, responsive to detecting the senderselected to compose the electronic message by performing at least one ofreplying to and forwarding the electronic message stored in the originalfolder, to attach a name of the original folder as the at least onesuggested folder name to the electronic message for distribution to therecipient; and program instructions to send the electronic message withthe suggested folder name specified by the sender to a recipient,wherein a recipient receiving the electronic message receives the atleast one suggested folder name specified by the sender in theelectronic message for selecting a folder for filing the electronicmessage in a messaging filing directory for the recipient.
 7. Thecomputer system according to claim 6, the stored program instructionsfurther comprising: program instructions to display, within the userinterface, a window for composing the electronic message, furthercomprising a selectable option for the sender to select the recipientand a selectable option for the user to select the at least onesuggested folder name; and program instructions to detect the userselect the selectable option for the at least one suggested folder namewithin the window for composing the electronic message.
 8. The computersystem according to claim 6, the stored program instructions furthercomprising: program instructions to detect the sender selection withinthe user interface of the at least one suggested folder name comprisinga first level name and comprising at least one sublevel name, whereinthe recipient receiving the at least one suggested folder name receivesthe first level name corresponding to a target folder and the at leastone sublevel name corresponding with at least one secondary folder. 9.The computer system according to claim 6, the stored programinstructions further comprising: program instructions to detect thesender selection within the user interface of a separate at least onesuggested folder name for each separate recipient from among a pluralityof recipients for the electronic message.
 10. The computer systemaccording to claim 6, the stored program instructions furthercomprising: program instructions to send the electronic message with thesuggested folder name, wherein if the messaging filing directory for therecipient does not comprise a particular folder with a particular foldername matching the suggested folder name then a recipient computer systemreceiving the electronic message for the recipient automatically offersthe recipient a selectable option to add a new folder to the messagingfiling directory with the suggested folder name.
 11. A computer programproduct comprising one or more non-transitory computer-readable storagedevices and program instructions, stored on at least one of the one ormore storage devices, the stored program instructions comprising:program instructions to detect whether a sender composes an electronicmessage; program instructions, responsive to detecting the sendercompose the electronic message, to determine whether the sender selectedto compose the electronic message by performing at least one of replyingto and forwarding an original electronic message stored in an originalfolder; program instructions, responsive to detecting the senderselected to compose the electronic message without performing at leastone of replying to and forwarding the electronic message stored in theoriginal folder, to: scan the electronic message for at least onekeyword within content of the electronic message; responsive toidentifying the at least one keyword, to prompt the sender to select theat least one suggested folder name from among the at least one keywordwithin a user interface; responsive to detecting a sender selection bythe sender within the user interface of at least one suggested foldername for the electronic message for a recipient receiving the electronicmessage to select as a folder name for filing the electronic message,attach the at least one suggested folder name to the electronic messagefor distribution to the recipient; program instructions, responsive todetecting the sender selected to compose the electronic message byperforming at least one of replying to and forwarding the electronicmessage stored in the original folder, to attach a name of the originalfolder as the at least one suggested folder name to the electronicmessage for distribution to the recipient; and program instructions, tosend the electronic message from the sender with the suggested foldername specified by the sender to a recipient, wherein a recipientreceiving the electronic message receives the at least one suggestedfolder name specified by the sender in the electronic message forselecting a folder for filing the electronic message in a messagingfiling directory for the recipient.
 12. The computer program productaccording to claim 11, the stored program instructions furthercomprising: program instructions to display, within the user interface,a window for composing the electronic message, further comprising aselectable option for the sender to select the recipient and aselectable option for the user to select the at least one suggestedfolder name; and program instructions to detect the user select theselectable option for the at least one suggested folder name within thewindow for composing the electronic message.
 13. The computer programproduct according to claim 11, the stored program instructions furthercomprising: program instructions to detect the sender selection withinthe user interface of the at least one suggested folder name comprisinga first level name and comprising at least one sublevel name, whereinthe recipient receiving the at least one suggested folder name receivesthe first level name corresponding to a target folder and the at leastone sublevel name corresponding with at least one secondary folder. 14.The computer program product according to claim 11, the stored programinstructions further comprising: program instructions to detect thesender selection within the user interface of a separate at least onesuggested folder name for each separate recipient from among a pluralityof recipients for the electronic message.
 15. The computer programproduct according to claim 11, the stored program instructions furthercomprising: program instructions to send the electronic message with thesuggested folder name, wherein if the messaging filing directory for therecipient does not comprise a particular folder with a particular foldername matching the suggested folder name then a recipient computer systemreceiving the electronic message for the recipient automatically offersthe recipient a selectable option to add a new folder to the messagingfiling directory with the suggested folder name.